Do You See What I See?

by Carly Westwood

Did you know that a child’s vision continues to develop until they are about eight years old? After that, eyesight development is complete and cannot be easily corrected. Vision is important for early childhood development. Think about all the things your child does that may involve vision:

• Picking up utensils or food when they are first learning to eat

• Navigating furniture as they learn to walk

• Throwing a ball

• Reading or looking at pictures in a book

• Interacting and playing with other children

Good vision is an important factor when a child is learning to read. Without it children may experience challenges once they enter school. Healthy vision and eyes can assist a child in reaching their full potential.

Eye Health and Safety
To help protect our children, we teach them many things, such as wearing a helmet when they ride a bike and wearing a seat belt when they are in a vehicle. Eye safety and protection is also important. Keeping children protected from the sun’s harmful rays can be a challenge, especially during the summer months. It is recommended that children wear sunglasses with 99 to 100 per cent UVB and UVA protection when they are exposed to sunlight. Sometimes, it may be difficult to convince a child to wear sunglasses. By wearing sunglasses yourself, you show your child that it is important. Some children may not like wearing sunglasses; an alternative is to wear a wide-brimmed hat, which not only protects their eyes, but also decreases the risk of sunburn.

Other ways to protect a child’s eyes include:

• Keeping sharp objects out of the child’s play area

• Keeping television viewing to 1 hour or less a day

• Viewing television at a distance of at least 8 to 10 feet

• Keeping chemicals and sharp tools in a locked place

Vision Concerns
Vision problems often run in families. It is recommended that an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) examine your child if you have a family history of eye problems or if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms.

Signs & Symptoms of possible concern:

• Sensitivity to light

• Red, itchy or watery eyes

• Holding objects too close

• Watching television very closely

• Bumping into things

• Avoiding activities needing distance vision

• Squinting, rubbing the eyes, or excessive blinking

• Covering or closing one eye

• Crossed-eyes

• Lack of concentration

• Headaches

• Blurred vision

• Drooping upper eyelid

• Poor performance in school

Many eye conditions may be hard to detect without vision screening or an eye exam. Two conditions that are often talked about in early childhood are crossed-eyes (strabismus) and lazy eye (amblyopia). If identified and treated early enough in childhood, these two conditions can sometimes be corrected. If left untreated, these conditions may cause permanent vision problems.

Vision Resources
Routine eye exams are covered under MSP for children 18 years and younger. Additional fees for services may exist with some eye doctors—check when you make an appointment. If you have any concerns about your child’s vision, talk with an eye doctor.

Sometimes families may need financial assistance with purchasing prescription glasses for a child. The B.C. Healthy Kids Program may be able to assist families with these expenses. To find out if your child qualifies or for more information about this program, visit www.eia.gov.bc.ca/bchealthykids.

The Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport recognizes that children’s vision is important and has started a Vision Screening Program for three-year-old children throughout B.C. The Vancouver Island Health Authority now offers free vision screening for three-year-olds.

If you are a childcare/preschool provider in South Vancouver Island, a vision screener may be able to come to your location to conduct screening. If you are interested, please contact the Vision Screening Program at the Saanich Health Unit (250-519-5100). For information on the vision program in other parts of the Island, parents and childcare providers should contact their local public health unit.

Additional information about children’s vision is available by visiting these online resources:

Young Children and Their Eyes at www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile53a.stm.

Elementary School Age Children and Their Eyes at www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile53b.stm.

Carly Westwood is a Public Health Nurse for the Vision Screening Program, Vancouver Island Health Authority, South Island.